Up north, they just never turn off the Engines, and Ground Time is Minimal.... Get in, then Get Out, QUICK... The Alaskan Ait National Guard flies Herculese Aircraft, out to Remote Camps on the Ice, and land them on Ice Runways that just need to be more than 14" thick...

Last edited: Jul 8, 2016

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

Up north, they just never turn off the Engines, and Ground Time is Minimal.... Get in, then Get Out, QUICK... The Alaskan Ait National Guard flies Herculese Aircraft, out to Remote Camps on the Ice, and land them on Ice Runways that just need to be more that 14" thick...

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Same routine in Antarctica in summer. If they sit too long the skis freeze to the runways, and it takes quite a bit of fiddling to bust them loose. If it looks like the skis are getting cold, they move the aircraft, friction on the ice generates quite a bit of heat. NSF used Hercs also back in the day, dunno if they still do. Both ANG and USN pilots.

Even though is it is a bit old now, the Hercules (C-130 to us military minded) is a great aircraft and given the option I will ride it before any other. I just feel safer in them than anything else...

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government."
"An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject."
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."

C130 /Herc's are like twatters (twin Otters) , they can can have different setups & wings etc. Versatile to the max in there range of aircraft.
Lots of folks / pilots (twatter folks) made this happen . Constant flight & swapping of chores , to all make it a success.

Hey CS... Even seen a Sky Van... You take a set of Twin Otter Wings, and glue them on a 20Ft ConEx Box.... Slap a Tail on the Top at the Back, and build in a Hydraulic Ramp, instead of the ConEx Doors, and put Roller-skates under the ConEx Box, for wheels.... WallllAh,,, You got a Sky Van.... Oh Yea, you gots to cut a few Holes for the Pilot windows in the Front.....

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

Hay CS... Even seen a Sky Van... You take a set of Twin Otter Wings, and glue them on a 20Ft ConEx Box.... Slap a Tail on the Top at the Back, and build in a Hydraulic Ramp, instead of the ConEx Doors, and put Roller-skates under the ConEx Box, for wheels.... WallllAh,,, You got a Sky Van.... Oh Yea, you gots to cut a few Holes for the Pilot windows in the Front.....

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If I didn't already know those things could fly, I'da had some doubts.

I have seen one on the hard , not flying .
They reworked the wing for many De Havilland prop planes that are now into turbine , the two newest wing profiles were built in Richmond BC & were passed . Prop & turbine type for all types but goose & Mallard .

The c-130 has replaced the c-47 and Ford trimotor, and will be flying in some form in 2100, if they don't figure out anti gravity, and they will still need something that flies low, slow, and cheap and can land nearly anywhere and still carry a decent load..